DISS TOWN 0 v. IPSWICH WANDERERS 1

RIDGEONS PREMIER LEAGUE

SATURDAY 1ST APRIL 2006

Wanderers were missing Dean Tournay-Godfrey and Matthew Cunningham through suspension but had David Grimwood available again and had Matthew Wilson on the bench.

It was a bright sunny day with a strong wind blowing down the pitch as Diss kicked off and they immediately took the initiative. Blyth had a header just over after 10 mins and some good movement at the other end saw Keith Hetherington do likewise. Paul Westren was tormenting the Diss left back and he earned a free kick on 13 mins which Bradley Barber took and Paul Westren finished with a shot that curled wide. Wanderers got their game going with the midfield on song and the striking partnership of Keith Hetherington and Rene Swann receiving ample supply from Paul Westren and Ricky Martin. Keith Hetherington had a header saved by Phillips, cross supplied by Rene Swann and a shot inches high after Marc Lowe and Bradley Barber battled for the ball on the edge of the area.

Wanderers were playing fluent, controlled football but Diss were struggling to find a rhythm with the wind behind them and the ball forward being overhit. What turned out to be the winning goal came on 43 mins when Chris Tracey slid in to clear upfield from the halfway line and the wind took the ball over the defence into the path of Keith Hetherington. Two touches later and he was set to fire past a hapless Phillips.

Diss Town 0 Ipswich Wanderers 1

The second half saw Diss coping better with the wind in their faces and they mounted a number of attacks but with Ricky Martin and Paul Westren spreading the play wide, Wanderers were always looking in danger of adding to the scoreline. Jamie Stannard was called into action on 57 mins when he dived low to save Hardy’s shot but was happy to watch his defence eventually clear  as Diss forced a series of corners. The Diss strikers were having little joy against the seemingly impenetrable wall of Chris Tracey and Mark Goldfinch but Hardy appeared the most lively whilst Blyth was off target with his shooting. Keith Hetherington missed the easiest chance of the game on 67 mins when his header from point blank range following a pinpoint cross from Ricky Martin, grazed the wrong side of the bar. Ingram’s cross on 73 mins swirled in the wind past Lee Smith and Blyth blazed his shot hurriedly wide of the target.

Ricky Martin was awarded the Man of the Match bubbly but he had stiff competition from all of his team mates.

It was the 5th 1-0 scoreline in a row for Wanderers but their best performance for a while to keep them in contention at the top end of the league.

Diss Town 0 Ipswich Wanderers 1